By Samuel Ee

LIKE the Italian glass of the same name, the Murano is very pretty.

More a car-like crossover than a rugged sport-utility vehicle, this premium Nissan has always been an attractive alternative since it arrived here about three years ago. So it comes as a bit of a surprise to learn that there is now a new model after that relatively short time.

And the second-generation Nissan Murano is not merely a face-lift - it is an all-new model with a new platform with a body that is bigger, wider and longer than the first-generation.

The reason for the seemingly short model life cycle is simple - the original Murano may have been introduced in Singapore in 2005, but it had already debuted in the US in 2003.

The new Murano is based on the Teana saloon platform but re-engineered for four-wheel-drive.

Called the All Mode 4x4-i, this all-wheel-drive feature uses sensors to detect road conditions before distributing drive power to the four wheels for optimum traction. When cruising, it automatically switches to front-wheel-drive for better fuel economy.

Nissan says the intelligent 4x4 system also has a yaw controller that will distribute power to the rear wheels during cornering to help the Murano turn more sharply and accurately. As a result, the big and tall car - it is 4,835 mm long, 1,885 mm wide and 1,730 mm high - handles surprisingly well. All that considering it has fairly tall 18-inch tyres (65 series) too.

It also helps that the Murano's continuously variable transmission has a manual shifting mode for better control. And at higher engine speeds, the new-generation Xtronic CVT is less noisy than in other Nissan models with a similar CVT set-up.

Also new is the way the car looks. The nose and tail are now more pointed and the interior modernised. The previous modular design of the dashboard and lower centre console has been replaced by softer, more curvaceous lines, although the grey plastic and aluminium trim present a somewhat dull appearance.

The equipment level is good though. For example, the trip computer has an extensive list of functions that even controls the colour of the meters in the instrument binnacle.

And there is more tekkie stuff in the centre console info display. A collection of hard keys and arrow buttons change things like info and car settings and you can play around with the sensitivity of the auto headlights, the headlights off delay and whether the steering wheel is raised upon exiting the car, among other things.

The seven-inch monitor is also wired to a reverse camera and the image includes predictive course lines to aid with parking manoeuvres. This feature is factory-fitted, as with all the other equipment like an electric tailgate, powered rear seat backs and a twin glass sunroof.

In fact, authorised distributor Tan Chong Motor Sales says the only local equipment in the whole car is the rear parking sensor.

As a premium crossover, the Murano is certainly a stylish drive. Only the dull grey interior and the relatively large engine will weigh on any buying decision.